IVECO-AMT 653900 dump truck based on IVECO Trakker AD380T41 chassis

Transnational dump truck for transcontinental work

Daniil Minaev, photo by the author

IVECO vehicles in our country are used for completely different transport work: from minibus taxis to general construction and mining dump trucks; everyone knows not only long-haul truck tractors, but also multi-axle construction vehicles, fire trucks and buses of this Italian brand. This IVECO-AMT 653900 dump truck with a 6x6 wheel arrangement is a representative of a batch of 30 vehicles that will work on the construction of oil pipelines in Eastern Siberia.

Not all IVECO machines are made in Italy. For example, dump trucks of the 682 series are produced in China, minibuses are built en masse in the Nizhny Novgorod region, and special and off-road equipment according to individual specifications is very popular in the Southern Urals in the city of Miass. And what’s interesting is that when it comes specifically to dump truck chassis, German roots are mixed in with the Italian origin. Do you remember how the history of the IVECO-URALAZ joint venture began in 1994? That's right, from the legendary "Magirus". Therefore, the hero of this material - IVECO-AMT 653900 6x6 - can be considered their successor.

Let's go for a ride

By analogy with the theater, which, as you know, begins with a coat rack, my acquaintance with this dump truck began with a quarry. It so happened that before I had a chance to talk with its designers and look at the specifications, I found myself behind the wheel of the car. And this is what came to my mind.

After the peaceful and quiet “divorce” of the Ural enterprise IVECO AMT with the GAZ Group in 2009, the seriously modernized old IVECO Turbostar cab for a cabover truck remained on the URAL-M series vehicles, and on the other side of the fence they started production of a new series of cabs from European "Truckers" through the full cycle with welding, cataphoresis priming and painting.

This dump truck with the IVECO name on the front fascia and the “Trakker” nameplate on the cab doors looks stylish and modern. The interior is Italian-style with notes of elegance, but still, due to the fact that the model is not the newest, it seems rustic in places, but nothing creaks, and I’ll especially note the excellent sound insulation - the engine is almost inaudible.

When developing the specifications for this successor to the Magirus, a short double “AD” cab was installed on a 6x6 dump truck chassis, but care was taken to provide a folding berth. In the architecture of the control panel, the basis for wide universal use is clearly visible: many of the keys on the front panel of the dump truck have remained stubs. The location of the body lift handle was somewhat confusing - on the right hand side, right behind the gearshift lever: by mistake it can be confused with the parking brake valve, be careful, the “real handbrake” is almost there, but in front of the lever!

Since a couple of laps in an unballasted vehicle in a snow-covered sand pit is unlikely to reveal the true capabilities of a three-axle all-wheel drive dump truck, I will again focus on ergonomics. The keys and handles are all at hand, only the “door openers” are located a little unusually, but I was pleased with the abundance of electric windows and mirrors. The 16-speed manual gearbox with a divider does not have the most common control algorithm today. The flag on the lever is responsible for the “halves”, and the switching of rows is carried out with a “slap”. I don’t really like this scheme, I think, like many others, otherwise it would not have become an endangered species now. However, everything worked well for the new dump truck, and the inevitable miscalculations in the choice of gears at the stage of getting to know and getting used to were easily compensated for by the high-torque main pairs of drive axles and the elastic 13-liter IVECO F3B engine (aka Cursor 13).

Now let's look at other equipment. Here, an engine hour meter is integrated into the on-board computer, with protection against hacking, and a tachograph is installed as standard.

Control Panel

Contains working pressure gauges for normal and working pressure stages, a pressure and vacuum gauge for the suction cavity of the pump, water and foam level indicators, buttons for controlling engine speed and the vacuum system.

Pump control panel IVECO-AMT 693912

Our information:

IVECO-AMT LLC (formerly called Iveco-Uralaz LLC, Chelyabinsk region, Miass) is a Russian enterprise that has been producing trucks under license from IVECO since 1994. The IVECO-AMT production complex is designed to produce 3,500 cars in a full cycle, including the development of design documentation. The main model is the Trakker car, on the basis of which more than 400 modifications of special equipment have been created. Since 2011, the company has been producing Stralis long-haul tractors, and since 2012, mid-range Eurocargo vehicles. All cars are produced taking into account customer requirements, in versions with diesel or gas engines running on methane.

Electronic system for receiving and supplying compression foam HALE CAFS CAFS

(Compressor Air Foam System)

Foam supply system using compressed air. The foam is formed by compressed air pressure inside pipes located inside the vehicle, and then fed through hose lines to hand barrels. The system is designed to form low and medium expansion foam (5-15) and supply it to the pressure hose due to the combined pressure of water and air. Working pressure 4-10 bar.

The system consists of a compressor, an electric gear-type foam pump and an integrated mixer. All equipment is installed in one monoblock with a fire pump. Type of foam mixing - injection (injection). The system foam capacity is 3100 l/min, the foam pump capacity is 8 l/min, the air compressor capacity is 2460 l/min.

How they do it (extracts from the specification)

The design of cars in this series is based on the concept of maximum simplicity and functionality. To work in difficult conditions, a frame with side members thickness of 10 mm and a height of 309 mm was used. Drive axles with a load capacity of 16 tons with two-stage gearboxes are equipped with interaxle and cross-axle differential locks. Another feature of this dump truck is a reinforced front axle with a load capacity of 10 tons, a ZF transfer case with a switchable front axle, and a 12R24 gable tire (KAMA tires are used). They decided to install a very decent fuel tank - 455 liters.

The dump truck superstructure produced by IVECO-AMT LLC has a volume of 16 m3, the thickness of the sides is 6 mm, and the thickness of the bottom is 8 mm. The body is equipped with an enhanced heating system for northern latitudes. The tipper hydraulics were supplied by Binotto. The production of dump bodies and other superstructures has been carried out at IVECO-AMT LLC since 2006 through a full cycle, including design development, welding and painting. According to the technical specifications, the estimated service life of the entire vehicle will be at least 1,000,000 km, warranty support is provided up to a mileage of 200,000 km, scheduled maintenance must be carried out every 40,000 km or 800 engine hours. Not bad promising numerical values...

Foam dosing system SALAMANDRE 180

(automatic)

Injection (under pressure) injection of foam concentrate directly into the pressure manifold of the fire pump with adjustment of the mixing percentage ranging from 0.1 to 10% with a dosing error of 0.5%.

Advantages:

• mixing accuracy;
• the fire pump operates exclusively on water;
• possibility of simultaneous operation with foam generators and water barrels;
• automatic flushing of the system after use. Capacity 180 l/min. Working pressure 16 bar.

The pump is also designed to fill the car’s own tank and transit foam concentrate to recharge other cars.

Bottom line

Like all Italian cars, the dump truck is distinguished by its catchy appearance, elegant interior and technology. The IVECO-AMT 653900 6x6 is interesting not only in its exterior, but also in its design. Russian citizenship (allowing us to offer an adequate price tag) and the German roots of the off-road dump truck traditions of Magirus (allowing us to assume sufficient margins of safety and reliability) are a serious challenge to competitors...

Technical characteristics of the IVECO-AMT 653900 (6x6) dump truck

Pump

Equipped with 1 (one) high-pressure reel SRVDK-2/60 with a hose length of 60 m with a spray barrel with a capacity of 2 l/s, with an electric and manual winding system; and 1 (one) medium pressure coil (16 bar) with a 30 meter semi-rigid rubber hose with a diameter of 25-38 mm.

Manual barrels on both reels with the ability to supply a compact and atomized jet, as well as low-expansion air-mechanical foam. The coils are located on the sides of the car in the rear compartment.

Where can I buy

Iveco trucks and vans are purchased officially from a dealer, also on the secondary market. The price of new cars, for example, Iveco-Stralis, starts from 3 million rubles (basic equipment). If you install powerful engines, the cost will increase to 4.5 million rubles.

A used car on Avito can be found for 700 thousand rubles (depending on the year of manufacture and the condition of the car).

Iveco trucks are an excellent solution for those who need a reliable workhorse at an affordable price. They are environmentally friendly, have minimal fuel consumption, and run on gas. This is certainly worthy competition for Volvo and Mercedes!

Detailed information is visible in the video:

Among stones, clay and flowers

Squeezing my back into the powerful embrace of the lateral support of the driver’s seat, I settle down behind the wheel. Quite convenient, let's go!

The automatic transmission control button on the remote control with the Allison inscription is in position “D”, and the big dump truck smoothly rake out the clay mess - there was a downpour at night, seriously complicating the task of moving along the technological roads of the quarry. Colleagues on a dump truck with an 8x4 wheel arrangement openly skid on the slightest incline, and I calmly crawl among stones, clay and lush summer vegetation. The first round is shooting. I note that our IVECO-AMT 753910-10 8x8 has a very sharp steering wheel that is not even truck-like - only 3.5 turns from lock to lock, plus everything coupled with a tenacious brake pedal - this is a “drivers car”! A “steering wheel” with a slightly smaller diameter for quick interception is just asking for this, but this is not allowed according to safety requirements. According to the UNECE Rules, the steering must remain operational and capable of movement when the amplifier fails; in this case, a rather large steering wheel will be required, since the “dumpers”, although they are strong guys, are not all weightlifters.

A rich arsenal of locks will allow you not to give up on off-road conditions

The standard Allison hydromechanical automatic transmission control panel is found on a wide variety of vehicles, including special equipment and buses

On the right hand side is the control unit for lifting the dump body with a lock and a light indicator

The geometry of the front suspensions pleasantly surprised us with a relatively small turning radius for such a giant, more than 9 meters long. Moreover, the use of locks did not greatly affect the maneuverability of the dump truck. Even if the radius is not enough, I can afford to stick the front end into the muddy mud and make a turn in two passes - 8x8 rules!

On the second lap we had to go down a steep slope running through an embankment about 2 meters high. I drive up to the edge, freeze, and look around. Smoothly balancing myself, I swing down, slightly slowing down the car with the mountain brake. At the end of the descent there is a small area where, hidden behind piles of soil, a crawler excavator is waiting for me.

A tricky descent and instructions on how to handle such situations

A tricky descent and instructions on how to handle such situations

The excavator is static, and in order to get my portion of ground ballast, I will have to adapt to it. A couple of shuttle “graters” back and forth and I expertly fit a 22-cubic-meter “trough” under the bucket. The job is done, now you just need to climb up. The maneuver proceeds without complications, leaving as a souvenir a deep, watery rut, carefully dug by checkers of toothy tires. I remember an excerpt from the factory description: “Designed for transportation of any bulk and bulk cargo, including rocks, on all types of roads and terrain.” That's right...

At work in the quarry, 3 steps were quite enough, since the route was replete with descents, ascents and turns. But when passing through mud pits, where a 100-meter straight gap opened up, it was possible to rise to V gear. Checking the deceleration with an empty car from a speed of 60–65 km/h reminded me of the expression: stood rooted to the spot.

About the manufacturer

Iveco truck tractor.
The Iveco truck tractor is one of the most popular in Europe and the CIS. There are a couple of reasons.

Iveco is the only manufacturer of gas-powered heavy-duty trucks. Vehicles are cheap. At the same time, the quality of the cars is not inferior to popular models.

Interesting to note! Iveco produces vehicles of all classes with different load capacities.

Fire superstructure

The all-aluminum prefabricated frame of the equipment bays, powder unit and pump bay is clad in aluminum sheets using curtain doors around the entire accessible perimeter. Attached to the car frame through metal-rubber shock-absorbing mounts, which prevent the transmission of torque from the car frame.

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Drum-type door opening mechanism providing any degree of door opening. The stern and sides of the superstructure are equipped with additional side lights and reflective elements to indicate the dimensions of the vehicle.

Sensors for open compartment doors are powered by separate light indicators and interior compartment lighting. The compartment shelves are made of aluminum sheets. For ease of operation, the superstructure is equipped with folding steps along the sides of the vehicle.

In the aft part there is a folding ladder for climbing to the roof of the car. The entire surface area of ​​the fire superstructure roof is covered with corrugated aluminum sheets. All filling and pressure fittings are made using connecting fire heads in accordance with GOST R 53279-2009.

Equipment compartments IVECO-AMT 693912

The lineup

Modifications differ in size, capacity, and purpose.

Iveco Stralis

Iveco-Stralis was first produced in 2002. The model received the best solutions from the company's two previous, most popular cars.

For the first time, an automatic transmission was used on a vehicle. The car acquired an arched radiator grille, the bumper had built-in headlights, and large mirrors. The truck became so popular that it began to compete with Mercedes and MAN tractors.

Detailed information is visible in the video:

Iveco began producing modifications - Active Time, Active Day. They are designed to transport luggage over short daily distances. One modification is equipped with a narrow berth, while the second has none.

In 2007, the company began new developments to make the interior more ergonomic and comfortable.

The new product has changed the appearance of the headlights and transformed the cabin. This is how the Active Space Cube modification with the largest interior size appeared.

5 years later, the developers released a new generation of tractors - Iveco Stralis Hi-Way. The vehicle was equipped with a powerful engine, improved headlights, an updated radiator grille, and a bumper.

In 2016, the company released the third generation of Stralis in two modifications. One is as environmentally friendly as possible, runs on gas (NP). The other is extremely durable, capable of covering vast distances (XP).

The new products have a powerful engine, reliable transmission of several options, and a modern braking system. Also durable rear suspension, satellite navigation, new electronics.

The updates have contributed to a reduction in fuel consumption. The car has become 11% more economical.

Iveco Trakker

A special version of the famous tractor unit. It has a wheelbase of 6 × 6 and is well suited for operation in Russian conditions.

Other features of the 6×6 tractor unit:

• Euro-5 engine with 450 horsepower;
• long AT-type cabin with one berth;
• gable tire 12.00R20.

The new Trakker truck tractors have become more durable, reliable and efficient. They are all-wheel drive and cope with the most difficult tasks when operating a semi-trailer.

A modern, maneuverable car, the engines and components of which are built using the latest technologies. The cabin has high visibility and numerous convenient on-board instruments.

Detailed information is visible in the video:

Iveco Fiat

Aka Iveco Daily. A successful model that occupied the niche of the lightest, most compact trucks. It has a powerful 2.5 liter small engine. An independent front air suspension is used and an 8-speed automatic transmission is used.

Interesting fact! The Fiat line develops every year, becoming more environmentally friendly. There are already models with an electric motor. When the battery is charged, a loaded trawl travels 500 km.

Iveco Eurotech

Large vehicles capable of carrying 50 tons of cargo. Bodies with chassis modifications 4 × 2 and 6 × 2 have been developed. Of these, the truck tractor is made with wheels according to the first option.

The Iveco Eurotech versions use a 9-speed gearbox, a diesel engine with a volume of 5.8 to 13.8 liters.

Other models

Iveco EuroCargo.

There are other modifications of Iveco. A popular model is Iveco EuroCargo, Ural cars.

The company is distinguished by the fact that it creates an extremely comfortable product for each market. Therefore, you can purchase the model that will be maximally optimized for the Russian climate and roads.